Home Blog Page 169

ECOVACS Wins Two IDG Gold Awards at IFA Berlin 2026

BERLIN, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECOVACS, a global company specializing in service robotics, has been honored with two Gold Awards at the 2026 IDG Global Product Technology Innovation Awards, announced during IFA Berlin, a leading consumer electronics and home appliance trade show. The dual accolades recognize ECOVACS’ innovation in extending intelligent cleaning solutions from indoor to outdoor applications and reinforce its technological leadership in the global smart service robot sector.

The ECOVACS WINBOT W2S PRO OMNI window-cleaning robot received the Window Cleaning Robot Innovation Gold Award for its breakthrough automated window care technologies, including intelligent frame detection, systematic deep cleaning and enhanced safety mechanisms that deliver reliable, hands-free window maintenance for modern households. Meanwhile, the ECOVACS T1000 4WD Pro smart robotic lawn mower claimed the Smart Edge Trimming Technology Innovation Gold Award, in recognition of its high-precision edge-trimming performance, four-wheel-drive mobility, all-terrain performance and intelligent path planning that adapt seamlessly to complex lawn layouts.

Established by IDG in 2014, the annual Global Product Technology Innovation Awards rank among the prominent honors in the global consumer electronics industry. Evaluated against rigorous criteria including technological innovation, user value and market impact, the awards are presented each year at IFA Berlin, spotlighting pioneering brands and showcasing their innovations to audiences in Europe and worldwide.

With nearly three decades of deep expertise in service robotics, ECOVACS continues to unlock new paradigms for multi-scenario intelligent living, extending its portfolio beyond indoor floor cleaning to professional-grade window care and autonomous lawn maintenance. These awards underscore ECOVACS’ sustained commitment to R&D and product innovation, and further strengthen its position in the global service-robotics market.

Prudential plc retains number two position in global MDRT ranking, with first-time qualifiers up 14% across Asia and Africa

Growth reflects Prudential’s continued investment in adviser development and career progression


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Prudential plc (“Prudential”) has retained its No. 2 position among multinational companies in the 2026 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) rankings. First-time qualifiers increased 14 per cent year-on-year, reflecting continued momentum in Prudential’s agency business and the impact of its strategy to build a more professional and productive agency force across Asia and Africa.

This momentum is reflected across Prudential’s markets:

  • Indonesia has held the No. 1 in-country ranking for more than a decade and continues to have the largest number of MDRT members in the market.
  • Hong Kong climbed three places in MDRT rankings to No. 3 globally and No. 2 in-country, with the second-highest number of Top of Table (TOT) and Court of Table (COT) qualifiers.
  • Singapore ranked No. 1 in-country for TOT qualifiers, with an 83.8 per cent MDRT member retention rate, and sits in the global top three. It also led the 2026 MDRT Culture of Excellence Awards, with 29 Agency Leader award recipients from a total of 68 winners worldwide.
  • In Africa, Prudential remains the only insurer represented in the MDRT Global Top 100 company rankings in the last three years, with Nigeria and Ghana each ranked No. 1 in-country.
  • In the Chinese Mainland, Prudential grew MDRT qualifiers 40 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026.

Prudential’s base of quality producers is driving year-on-year double-digit growth in new business profit per MDRT agent, as reported in its 2026 Half Year Results.

Pankaj Banerjee, Group Chief Agency Officer, Prudential plc, said: “Our agency transformation is gathering pace, and our direction is clear: we are building a higher-quality, more professional and more productive agency force, equipped to deliver the trusted advice our customers increasingly need, at every stage of their lives. The continued growth in first-time MDRT qualifiers reflects the progress we are making and the commitment of our advisers, agency leaders and colleagues to raising professional standards across the industry.”

As customer needs become more complex, particularly in health, protection and wealth planning, the demand for trusted, high-quality advice is rising. For Prudential, upholding agency excellence is about providing advisers access to learning, role models, communities and opportunities that help them progress and deliver better outcomes for customers.

This commitment is reflected in Prudential’s long-standing partnership with MDRT, which gives advisers access to a global professional community, learning opportunities and standards of excellence. At every stage of the adviser journey, Prudential continues to invest in attracting high-quality talent, strengthening capabilities and productivity. This includes equipping advisers with deeper wealth planning capabilities, insights and AI-enabled tools to meet evolving customer needs and drive sustained MDRT growth.

To accelerate this progress, Prudential recently established the MDRT Advisory Council, a Group-wide platform bringing together leading producers in 11 agency markets to share best practices, accelerate adviser growth and support advisers in their professional progression across the force.

Prudential’s commitment to adviser development was also reflected at the 2026 MDRT Global Conference in Sydney, where it was recognised as MDRT Premier Sponsor and joined by 400 of its advisers and agency leaders from across different markets.

As MDRT approaches its 100th anniversary, Prudential looks forward to continuing its partnership with MDRT with a focus on expanding development pathways, raising professional standards, and supporting the next generation of advisers to achieve their full potential.

Hashtag: #Prudentialplc

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Prudential plc

Prudential provides life and health insurance and asset management in Greater China, ASEAN, India and Africa. Prudential’s mission is to be the most trusted partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX: 2378) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.

Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

EURO Group Recognized at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition for Advancing Corporate Excellence Through Sustainable Growth


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – EURO Group has been recognized under the Corporate Excellence category at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition, highlighting the organization’s commitment to building a resilient business foundation through strategic expansion, strong governance, and sustainable growth.

Established in 1976, EURO has grown into one of Malaysia’s leading office furniture providers, delivering innovative and functional workspace solutions to customers both locally and internationally. The Group’s business evolution continued in 2023 with its expansion into steel product trading and related businesses, a strategic move that strengthened its portfolio diversification and enhanced its long-term business resilience.

Driven by its philosophy of understanding customers’ businesses, EURO has built the “EURO” brand around trusted partnerships and a shared vision of creating workspaces that inspire productivity, innovation, and success. This commitment is supported by a governance framework that integrates sustainability considerations into strategic planning, risk management, and operational decision-making.

The Group’s focus on ethical business practices is reinforced through corporate governance policies that promote integrity, accountability, and responsible conduct across the organization. Supported by the Risk Management & Environmental, Social and Governance Committee, EURO continues to engage with key stakeholders and address sustainability priorities while identifying opportunities for continued growth.

EURO’s strategic approach has translated into strong business performance, with revenue for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 increasing by approximately 45.3% compared to the previous year, driven largely by growth in its steel-related products segment. This achievement reflects the effectiveness of its diversification strategy and commitment to sustainable value creation.

Beyond business expansion, EURO continues to invest in its people through structured training, upskilling opportunities, and leadership development programmes. By strengthening talent capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning, the Group remains focused on building a capable workforce that will support its future growth.

The recognition at APEA 2026 underscores EURO Group’s dedication to responsible business practices, strategic transformation, and long-term excellence as it continues to strengthen its position in an evolving market landscape.

Hashtag: #EUROGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit.

Arvato Systems Malaysia Recognized at Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition for Excellence in Corporate Integrity and Governance


KUALA LUMPUR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Arvato Systems Malaysia (ASM), a member of the Bertelsmann Group, has been honored with the Corporate Integrity and Governance Excellence award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Regional Edition, recognizing its commitment to building an ethical, transparent, and resilient organization through strong governance practices and responsible business operations.

Specializing in IT solutions for digital transformation, ASM develops software services that help organizations become more agile, competitive, and prepared for evolving business demands. With approximately 200 employees representing 10 nationalities, the company continues to empower digital leaders through innovation, collaboration, and its vision of “Together, WE build a brighter future for all through our greatest minds”.

ASM’s governance framework, established in alignment with the Bertelsmann Group, places ethics, compliance, and integrity at the center of its organizational practices. Through structured policies, regular compliance audits, and established management systems covering areas such as quality management and information security, the company ensures that responsible practices are embedded throughout its operations.

Transparency and employee engagement remain key pillars of ASM’s governance approach. Regular feedback surveys, open communication channels, and an open-door management culture encourage accountability and continuous improvement, while the sharing of survey outcomes and follow-up actions strengthens trust across the organization. The company also enhances business resilience through its Business Continuity Management Plan and continuous investment in employee development, including training, certifications, and AI-related upskilling initiatives.

Beyond governance, ASM extends its commitment to responsible growth through corporate responsibility programmes that empower underserved communities. Through initiatives such as the TechTrekkers programme, laptop donations, environmental activities, blood donation drives, and community partnerships, the company supports greater access to technology, education, and skills development.

Celebrating 20 years in Malaysia’s IT industry in 2025, ASM continues to strengthen its capabilities with initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Hub, enhancing risk detection and supporting clients with advanced security solutions. The company’s recognition at the APEA 2026 reflects ASM’s dedication to combining integrity, innovation, and sustainable practices in shaping a trusted digital future.

Hashtag: #ArvatoSystemsMalaysia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit.

UnionPay, Official Payment Partner of the 26th CIFIT, Facilitates Global Development with Payment Innovation


XIAMEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – On September 8, the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened at the Xiamen International Expo Center. Held under the theme of “Further expanding bilateral investment, jointly facilitating global development”, this year’s CIFIT has attracted the participation of delegations from 123 countries and regions. As the official payment partner of the event, UnionPay showcased its key business achievements in international expansion and technological innovation. Highlights included its global network, UnionPay cross‑border B2B payment solutions, Nihao China App—a one‑stop service platform for inbound visitors to China—and the National Pilot Base for AI Application (Financial Sector). Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, attended the event.

Strengthening the Global Acceptance Network

In a continuous effort to strengthening its global payment networks, UnionPay is now accepted in 183 countries and regions, covering more than 100 million merchants outside China’s mainland. UnionPay cards have been issued in 84 countries and regions outside China’s mainland, with its mobile payment services available in over 100 markets. UnionPay is also advancing QR payment connectivity with local payment networks in multiple geographies worldwide. Outside China’s mainland, UnionPay QR payments are accepted at over 46 million merchants, and over 200 UnionPay‑standard wallets have been launched in 37 countries and regions.

The “Global Network” section of UnionPay’s exhibition at the CIFIT displayed its three‑pronged business structure centered on the acceptance, card issuance, and cross-border QR payment linkages. Leveraging its advanced global switching and clearing infrastructure and payment technologies, UnionPay has launched digital payment solutions that are tailored to emerging subsectors within trade, such as cross‑border e‑commerce, as well as flight and hotel services. For Chinese enterprises going global, online travel agencies, and cross‑border e‑commerce clients, UnionPay has introduced the Virtual Commercial Card (VCC), a digital corporate card product. Featuring over-the-air provisioning and global acceptance, the solution delivers digital payment services that are efficient, secure, and controlled. Embracing open cooperation, UnionPay empowers partners in a collective effort to foster a new ecosystem for connected cross‑border payments.

Advancing AI‑Payment Integration to Build an Intelligent Payment Ecosystem

Responding to the deepening integration of artificial intelligence into the payment industry, UnionPay is using its Agentic Payment Open Protocol (APOP) as a key enabler to evolve AI‑powered finance from isolated projects toward industry-wide adoption. Providing a unified set of underlying technical standards for agentic payment use cases, the APOP is now available on the UnionPay Open Platform. The initial 19 partners consist of domestic and international commercial banks, AI agent providers, tech firms, merchants, and acquirers. Together with dozens of ecosystem partners, UnionPay has completed pilot transactions in real-word settings for overseas hotel reservations, in‑vehicle agent-assisted purchases, AI‑enabled flight booking, utility payments in the UnionPay App, and smart in-store ordering services.

In the exhibition area, UnionPay showcased a range of agentic payment achievements—the result of pulling industry resources to facilitate the integration and collaboration of computing power, data, and AI models, with a view to building a financial AI ecosystem that is open, controlled, secure, and reliable. Guided by the vision of “Trusted Ties, Shared Success”, UnionPay pursues sharing, joint governance and win‑win outcomes in its engagement with partners, delivering standard technical paradigms for the industry that is viable and replicable.

The Nihao China App, an All-in-One Solution that Makes Payment Easier for Visitors to China

In another exhibition zone themed “Nihao China”, UnionPay showcased the Nihao China App, a one‑stop digital service platform created specifically for inbound visitors to China. Integrating solutions for payment, transport, lifestyle, and cultural experience-driven tourism, and featuring an AI assistant, the app enables travelers to get around China hassle-free with their mobile phones.

The Nihao China App allows users to link their international cards for payments; mainstream Chinese QR code payments—both the Merchant Presented Mode and the Customer Presented Mode—are also supported. Over 300 mobile apps can seamlessly invoke the Nihao China App for payments. When it comes to transit, the app can be used to hail a taxi, purchase train and plane tickets, and ride the subway in 43 major Chinese cities and the bus in 1,760 cities at the county level and above nationwide. The app also supports 27 languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Russian. The app’s built-in AI assistant can read and respond to text prompts provided in 119 languages, while its speech recognition feature enables voice-based Q&A in 35 languages. Through multi‑modal interactions based on speech, texts and images, the app can provide assistance across various use cases, such as payment, navigation, translation, and content sharing. Other tourist‑friendly features include e‑SIM data plans, currency conversion, English‑language maps, tax refund, and city-specific travel guides. As of July 2026, the Nihao China App has surpassed 800,000 downloads in over 160 countries and regions globally.

UnionPay continues to advance Project Excellence to facilitate the payment journey for inbound visitors in China, and accelerate payment connectivity between China’s mainland and the rest of the world. As of this past July, the inbound transactions generated by UnionPay cards issued outside China’s mainland and by overseas partner wallets increased 51% and 53% year on year, respectively. During the CIFIT, UnionPay worked with local banks to launch marketing campaigns at the Xiamen International Expo Center. These activities centered on “ticket‑stub economy”—where tickets to cultural and sports events come with discounts at nearby consumer locations—and payment offers outside China’s mainland, further enhancing user experience for Chinese and international participants alike.

At this year’s CIFIT, UnionPay demonstrated its latest advancements in cross‑border payments, intelligent finance, and payment facilitation for inbound visitors to promote payment connectivity among industrial partners at home and abroad. Moving forward, UnionPay will further leverage its strengths in global networks, products, technologies, and standards to expand international cooperation. Driven by the vision of “Trusted Ties, Shared Success”, it will contribute to the development of an open world economy and a global development community.

Hashtag: #UnionPayInternational

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Laos Prepares For ASEAN Para Games With 12-Sport Bid

Laos triumphed over the Philippines at the AOZ Championship on 20 January 2024. (Photo: X-1/IWBF)

Laos is preparing to compete in 12 sports at the 14th ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur next October.

The Lao team has proposed entering athletics, swimming, powerlifting, boccia, women’s goalball, men’s blind football, women’s wheelchair basketball, cycling, badminton, wheelchair fencing, tennis and shooting, according to the Lao delegation attending the ASEAN Para Sports Federation’s Board of Governors meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week.

The 14th ASEAN Para Games will run from October 17–23, 2027, bringing para athletes from across ASEAN to Kuala Lumpur for a week of regional competition.

Member countries are currently submitting preliminary plans for the sports they hope to enter, with Laos proposing 12 disciplines for the Games.

Laos at the 2026 ASEAN Para Games

Earlier this year, Laos sent a large delegation to the 13th ASEAN Para Games, held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from 20-27 January.

The Lao team competed against athletes from nine other ASEAN countries after Cambodia withdrew from the Games.

Lao athletes took part in athletics, swimming, weightlifting, goalball, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, boccia, football, cycling, shooting, fencing, badminton and tennis.

Before leaving for Thailand, the team received support from the government and private sector, including jerseys worth LAK 96 million (USD 4,445).

Laos is now looking ahead to the 2027 Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Kenanga Investment Bank Introduces World’s First Hang Seng Biotech Index Structured Warrants to Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or “The Group“) is proud to unveil the world’s first structured warrants linked to the Hang Seng Biotech Index (“HSBIO“) under its flagship brand, NagaWarrants by Kenanga (“NagaWarrants“). The new warrants, HSBIO-CAA (0661AA) and HSBIO-HBA (0661BA), provide Malaysian investors with exposure to Hong Kong’s biotechnology and healthcare sector, one of Asia’s most compelling long-term growth themes driven by demographic shifts, rising healthcare demand and continued medical innovation.

(From left to right) Nancy Cheng, Executive Director and Head of Operations of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Linda Luk, Executive Director and Product Strategist (ETF) of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Gilbert Lee, Executive Chairman of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the HKSAR Government; Muzambli Markam, Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR; Philip Lim, Head of Equity Markets and Group Head of Equity Derivatives of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad ("KIBB"); Kenneth Teoh, Deputy Head of Equity Derivatives and Head of Equity Derivatives Trading of KIBB, and Isabelle Zhen, Head of Group Equity Marketing of KIBB
(From left to right) Nancy Cheng, Executive Director and Head of Operations of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Linda Luk, Executive Director and Product Strategist (ETF) of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Gilbert Lee, Executive Chairman of Hang Seng Indexes Company; Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the HKSAR Government; Muzambli Markam, Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR; Philip Lim, Head of Equity Markets and Group Head of Equity Derivatives of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“KIBB”); Kenneth Teoh, Deputy Head of Equity Derivatives and Head of Equity Derivatives Trading of KIBB, and Isabelle Zhen, Head of Group Equity Marketing of KIBB

The introduction of HSBIO-CAA and HSBIO-HBA marks another significant milestone in structured products innovation, making HSBIO accessible through a listed structured warrant format for the first time, while further expanding NagaWarrants’ range of Hang Seng-linked offerings, which includes products linked to the Hang Seng Index (“HSI“), Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (“HSCEI“) and Hang Seng TECH Index (“HSTECH“).

The launch ceremony took place at the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on 9 September 2026, one of the region’s premier platforms for fostering international dialogue, business collaboration and investment opportunities. Held as part of the summit, the ceremony brought together representatives from Kenanga Group and Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited to mark the introduction of the new products.

HSBIO tracks 30 of the largest biotechnology and healthcare companies listed in Hong Kong. In 2025, the index gained 64.5%, significantly outperforming the HSI, HSCEI and HSTECH. During the year, the index rose by more than 80% at its peak, reflecting rising investor interest in China’s rapidly evolving biotechnology sector.

The growing appeal of the index is also reflected in its expanding ecosystem, which includes listed futures contracts and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with more than HKD11 billion in assets under management. Against this backdrop, HSBIO-CAA and HSBIO-HBA provide investors with an additional avenue to gain exposure to this increasingly relevant segment through a listed structured warrant.

“Being the first to introduce HSBIO-linked structured warrants reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of product innovation. Through NagaWarrants, we continuously seek to identify emerging opportunities and translate them into accessible investment solutions that help Malaysian investors participate in global market trends. This latest launch underscores our focus on delivering differentiated products that broaden investor choice and provide access to a wider range of market opportunities beyond traditional benchmarks,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.

“With approximately 53% of the average daily trading volume and 51% of the average daily trading value of all HSI structured warrants traded on Bursa Malaysia in 2025, we have a strong understanding of the trends and themes that resonate with investors. We are seeing growing interest in targeted exposures beyond broad market benchmarks, with biotechnology emerging as one of Asia’s most dynamic growth sectors. HSBIO structured warrants provide investors with a familiar way to gain exposure to this evolving theme and mark the first in a series of initiatives to expand the range of products and investment opportunities available to our clients,” added Philip Lim Kuok Wei, Head of Equity Markets and Group Head of Equity Derivatives of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.

The addition of HSBIO-CAA and HSBIO-HBA broadens the range of Hong Kong market exposures available through NagaWarrants, complementing existing offerings linked to the HSI, HSCEI and HSTECH. The Group’s efforts in product innovation were also recently recognised internationally with the Best Warrants Issuer Malaysia 2026 award from Global Banking and Finance Review.

For more information on NagaWarrants and the latest trading opportunities, visit www.nagawarrants.com or join the Telegram community, @NagaWarrants.
Hashtag: #Kenanga

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))

Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga” or “The Group”) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with game-changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform, and Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor.

The Group has garnered multiple awards, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards 2025. The Group also secured Gold in Financial Services at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2025, the Malaysia Best Bank for ESG and Malaysia Best Bank for Diversity & Inclusion Awards at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, as well as the Top 20 Overall Excellence and the Niche Cap Excellence Award at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards 2025. As one of the highest-scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Kenanga continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.

This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group’s Marketing, Communications & Sustainability Department.

Easmed and The Air Station unveil hidden sleep apnea risk across Singapore’s workforce in landmark survey

Findings uncover a hidden sleep crisis driving daytime exhaustion and productivity loss despite a full night’s rest

  • Almost the entire office workforce (97%) experiences performance drops following a bad night’s sleep, with 58% losing over 20% of their daily output.
  • Most workers fail to recognise sleep apnea signs, misinterpreting chronic gasping, snoring, and daytime exhaustion as standard work stress.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – A comprehensive sleep health survey titled, “Sleeping Enough, Waking Up Tired: The Hidden Cost of Sleep Apnea Risk in Singapore’s Workforce“, reveals that unaddressed sleep disorders are quietly eroding productivity across the nation’s workforce.

The survey is jointly commissioned by Easmed and The Air Station, Singapore-headquartered medical technology companies specialising in innovative medical devices and sleep health solutions. The survey of 1,000 office-based working adults in Singapore aged 30 to 60, conducted in June 2026, reveals a concerning gap between sleep debt, clinical risk and public awareness.

Sleep Apnea is a prevalent medical condition where the upper airway repeatedly relaxes and collapses during sleep, temporarily cutting off oxygen flow. This forces the brain to repeatedly wake the body up to restart breathing, disrupting core sleep cycles and causing loud snoring, gasping, and severe daytime exhaustion.

Key Survey Highlights

  • Workplace productivity drain: 97% of respondents experience a productivity drop after a poor night’s sleep, with 58% estimating their performance drops by more than 20%.
  • Hidden clinical risk: 1 in 4 (24%) office workers screen at intermediate-to-high risk for Sleep Apnea.
  • Widespread awareness gap: 60% of employees have never heard of Sleep Apnea or only know the name. Additionally, 56% have never evaluated their sleep quality via a doctor, app, or diagnostic test.
  • Nightly sleep deficit: Singapore workers average 6.3 hours of sleep per night compared to the 7.4 hours they need to feel refreshed, leaving a daily 1.1-hour shortfall.
  • Normalised misconceptions: 50% view daytime fatigue as a normal part of busy working life, 25% believe brief breathing pauses during sleep are harmless, and 24% mistake loud snoring for deep sleep.
  • Key hurdles to care: Cost of diagnosis/treatment (51%) and lack of knowledge on where to seek help (36%) are the primary reasons workers avoid getting evaluated for Sleep Apnea.

While 72% of employees cite flexible hours as their top ask for sleep support, health experts emphasise that extra time in bed cannot fix underlying physiological conditions like Sleep Apnea.

Corporate access to subsidised screening (37%) and targeted sleep education (21%) remain the most direct solutions.

Commenting on the survey findings, Dr Phua Chu Qin, Senior Consultant Otolaryngology (ENT) and Director of Sleep Surgery at Sengkang General Hospital, said: “The productivity findings for this local survey reinforce that sleep is not simply a lifestyle issue. This is timely, because Singaporeans need to move away from normalising poor sleep and persistent daytime fatigue and start to recognise when poor sleep warrants assessment.”

“Snoring and witnessing breathing pauses during sleep should not automatically be dismissed as harmless. Recognising these warning signs early and getting assessed can be an important step towards better health, alertness and productivity,” she added.

The sleep paradox: Time in bed versus restorative sleep
The study highlighted a striking disconnect between time spent in bed and actual sleep quality. On average, Singapore office workers accumulate a nightly “sleep debt” of 1.1 hours, getting 6.3 hours of sleep against a reported need of 7.4 hours.

However, individuals screening at the highest risk for Sleep Apnea actually reported longer average bedtimes (6.68 hours) than low-risk workers (6.30 hours). Because Sleep Apnea causes repeated airway collapses and micro-awakenings throughout the night, time spent in bed fails to translate into restorative sleep.

The desensitisation runs deeper: high-risk workers were more than twice as likely as low-risk workers to say a poor night’s sleep had “no impact” on their productivity (8% vs. 2.5%), and significantly more likely to say poor sleep hadn’t affected their concentration at all. Thus, the group carrying the greatest health risk is also the group least able to recognise it in themselves, underscoring why self-assessment alone cannot catch Sleep Apnea, and why objective clinical screening is essential.

Dangerous myths keep Singaporeans in the dark
The report uncovered prevalent misconceptions regarding sleep hygiene and clinical signs, that may be delaying diagnosis:

  • 50% of respondents view daytime sleepiness as “just a normal part of a busy working life.”
  • 25% believe brief pauses in breathing during sleep are harmless.
  • 24% believe loud, regular snoring is a sign of deep, healthy sleep.

Over 80% of the workforce recognises that sleep sacrifice isn’t a virtue, yet nearly 1 in 5 still feel needing little sleep signals a strong work ethic.

Among individuals already sitting in the high-risk Sleep Apnea bracket, these myths run even deeper: 52% believe loud snoring is healthy and 54% view breathing interruptions as harmless, suggesting many high-risk individuals are unknowingly reassuring themselves out of seeking help.

A call for workplace sleep wellness
While 72% of employees indicated a desire for flexible working hours to manage sleep, health experts emphasise that schedule adjustments alone cannot solve clinical sleep disorders like Sleep Apnea. Instead, actionable support requires early detection and clinical intervention.

“Sleep health can no longer be viewed purely as a personal lifestyle choice; it is a critical workplace health issue that directly impacts safety, decision-making, and long-term cardiovascular health,” said Yvonne Loo, Group Director at Easmed.

“Our goal in commissioning this survey is to lower the friction for screening. Structural barriers like clinical diagnostic costs (51%) and confusion on where to seek help (36%) can be easily solved through accessible home sleep testing and corporate wellness partnerships.”

Explore more survey results here: www.easmed.com/sgsleepsurvey2026

About the survey
The “Sleeping Enough, Waking Up Tired: The Hidden Cost of Sleep Apnea Risk in Singapore’s Workforce” survey was jointly commissioned by Easmed and The Air Station, bringing together two complementary perspectives in sleep health — medical innovation and clinical care on one hand, and consumer sleep wellness, screening and treatment support on the other. Read more about sleep health survey here: www.easmed.com/sgsleepsurvey2026

Hashtag: #WorkplaceWellness #SleepApnea #Easmed #TheAirStation




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Easmed

Easmed is a Singapore-headquartered medical technology company with a longstanding focus on advancing sleep medicine in Southeast Asia. Working closely with healthcare professionals and institutions, Easmed provides medical and surgical technologies across Sleep Medicine, ENT, Neuro and Urology.

In sleep medicine, Easmed focuses on advanced treatment solutions for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Its portfolio includes Inspire®️ hypoglossal nerve stimulation, an implantable treatment option for appropriately selected OSA patients, reflecting the company’s involvement across both established and emerging approaches to sleep apnea care.

Beyond medical technology, Easmed actively supports clinical research, education and public awareness of sleep health, working with sleep specialists and healthcare professionals to improve understanding of OSA, its health implications and the importance of earlier recognition and intervention.

The commissioning of the Singapore Sleep Health Report is an extension of this work — using local data to better understand how sleep and undiagnosed sleep disorders may be affecting Singapore’s workforce and to encourage a broader conversation about sleep as an important pillar of health.

Follow Easmed on social media:
Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:

About The Air Station

The Air Station is a Singapore consumer-facing sleep health company providing an end-to-end pathway from better sleep and early screening to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support.

Its services span across sleep wellness solutions, sleep health screening, home sleep studies and a range of treatment options for sleep apnea, including dental sleep appliances and CPAP therapy, the established first-line treatment for many patients with OSA.

The Air Station also works to take sleep health beyond the clinic. Through corporate sleep health talks, community education, screening initiatives and sleep wellness programmes, it aims to make sleep health easier for the public to understand and act upon.

Its approach recognises that poor sleep exists on a spectrum: for some, better sleep habits and wellness interventions may help; for others, persistent snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness or disrupted breathing may warrant screening and medical assessment.

Together, Easmed and The Air Station connect the clinical and consumer sides of sleep health — from medical innovation and healthcare professional education to public awareness, screening and practical pathways to care.

Their jointly commissioned study of 1,000 working adults in Singapore found that approximately 1 in 4 screened at intermediate-to-high risk of OSA, while 60% had either never heard of OSA or knew it only by name. The findings also highlighted the relationship between poor sleep and workplace performance, with 97% of respondents reporting some productivity decline following a bad night’s sleep.

The organisations hope the findings will encourage employers, healthcare professionals and communities to look beyond simply asking “Are we sleeping enough?” and start asking “Are we sleeping well — and could an underlyin disorder be going unnoticed?”

Follow The Air Station on social media:
Instagram:Facebook:LinkedIn:Youtube:TikTok: